hedge Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I'm doing some grass cutting work over the summer for a friend with a smallholding. They've just bought a nice ride on mower but will also need a strimmer. When I last used strimmers properly, Stihl was a decent brand. From what I've read, Husqvarna and Echo(?) are also sensible options. Possibly Honda and Makita? Strimmer will be used for about 2-3 hours per month on grass for paddock edges and fence posts. No heavy brush cutting. Nylon line only. I'd like to get a decent one but budget is `up to` £200. I can get 2nd hand branded for less on evilbay but you never know how they've been treated. I'd like cow horn bars but other than that, open to ideas. Do I need a super-posh strimmer or will a lesser brand be ok? Buy new or 2nd hand? I've been round the houses on Google a few times and it's making my head hurt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 sthil FS40.............. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
figgy Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 I like echo products for the price. How much strimmer do you get for 200 pounds these days. Shindaiwa are also good commercial products. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vince Green Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 (edited) Buy a cheap petrol one from argos, good enough is good enough, for a few hours a month. The engine won't last as long but who cares? In twenty or thirty years time you might have to replace it, so what? run it on good oil makes a difference Edited March 4, 2019 by Vince Green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rovercoupe Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Honda, they used to make great engines. I have 2 in bits at the moment both gx25 models and they are total **** and a exercise in economising first one has a stripped starter shaft and the second has the engine case cracked in about 3 places and baring failure probably due to it losing oil. I did not do the damage but bought them like that. You will be able to get stihl parts for years to come so would go with one of those with a decent sized engine, there is nothing worse than a underpowered strimmer. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted March 4, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 Thanks for the replies so far. I've just found out I can get a Stihl FS55 brand new delivered for £203. It fits my criteria of sensible brand, ideally new and just about on budget. I could buy a cheaper product, but I'm also a bit of a slave to getting quality stuff when I can, even if I don't really need it. I'll see what else comes up but the FS55 is pretty much spot on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotgcoalman Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 sthil are **** now. The old honda 4 strokes were the dogs,apaprt from cam belts and shafts stripping teeth. cheap chinesium 52 or 75 cc 2 smoke from fleabay is the way to go/😲 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McSpredder Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 1 hour ago, hedge said: Strimmer will be used for about 2-3 hours per month on grass for paddock edges and fence posts. No heavy brush cutting. If you are using it for 2-3 hours in a single session, you probably do need a petrol strimmer, but if it is half an hour each week you could consider a rechargeable machine (cheap to buy, no fiddling around with 2-stroke engines). Decision would depend partly on whether you already have other rechargeable power tools using the same battery. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted March 4, 2019 Report Share Posted March 4, 2019 55 minutes ago, hedge said: Thanks for the replies so far. I've just found out I can get a Stihl FS55 brand new delivered for £203. It fits my criteria of sensible brand, ideally new and just about on budget. I could buy a cheaper product, but I'm also a bit of a slave to getting quality stuff when I can, even if I don't really need it. I'll see what else comes up but the FS55 is pretty much spot on. Buy stihl, theres a reason they're still expensive secondhand. Now i only use stihl and echo personally and stihl at work (though we've just bought huskie battery kit, very very good first impressions, gotta be carbon neutral 😂 ******* joke but anyway saying that we just ran a stihl extended reach hedge cutter on loan, on a ap300 battery for over 2hrs) so battery tech is catching up. Slowly. Might be a option. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ricko Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 If you buy new and are an occasional user then run it on Aspen. No need to drain the fuel and run it dry over the winter. No damage to rubber seals, diaphragms etc due to supermarket fuel. Easy starting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackbird Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 9 hours ago, ditchman said: sthil FS40.............. Another vote I’ve had mine 5yrs (faultless) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 8 hours ago, hedge said: Thanks for the replies so far. I've just found out I can get a Stihl FS55 brand new delivered for £203. It fits my criteria of sensible brand, ideally new and just about on budget. I could buy a cheaper product, but I'm also a bit of a slave to getting quality stuff when I can, even if I don't really need it. I'll see what else comes up but the FS55 is pretty much spot on. Have an FS55 with cow horns- very pleased with it indeed. Run all my saws and 2t on Stihl motomix and have had zero problems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Just now, Jaymo said: Have an FS55 with cow horns- very pleased with it indeed. Run all my saws and 2t on Stihl motomix and have had zero problems As long as the STAFF are happy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaymo Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 5 minutes ago, TIGHTCHOKE said: As long as the STAFF are happy! It’s a shame that ‘ones’ gardening staff consist of one a single employee- moi! Then again, as I’m not even paid, that would make me a volunteer and not an employee.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TIGHTCHOKE Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Then you are the STAFF and appear to be HAPPY! Win/win situation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kennett Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 We run 10x Stihl fs450 at work, big bit of kit but once you have the harness set up right you barely feel it. Because of the size and weight you can also use them for a lot longer before you need to worry about HAV etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave at kelton Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Mitox are good. I have one of their multi tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchman Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 1 hour ago, blackbird said: Another vote I’ve had mine 5yrs (faultless) £157.00 quid on the internet now ....... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Geordie Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 A small holding? Requiring a strimmer? I think he requires a couple of goats Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strimmer_13 Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 1 hour ago, kennett said: We run 10x Stihl fs450 at work, big bit of kit but once you have the harness set up right you barely feel it. Because of the size and weight you can also use them for a lot longer before you need to worry about HAV etc Fs 460c here 👍😉 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hedge Posted March 5, 2019 Author Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 12 hours ago, McSpredder said: If you are using it for 2-3 hours in a single session, you probably do need a petrol strimmer, but if it is half an hour each week you could consider a rechargeable machine (cheap to buy, no fiddling around with 2-stroke engines). Decision would depend partly on whether you already have other rechargeable power tools using the same battery. It would be used twice a month for about an 60-90 mins per session. Would prefer petrol as that's what I'm used to (and I'm bit of a Luddite) 6 hours ago, Ricko said: If you buy new and are an occasional user then run it on Aspen. No need to drain the fuel and run it dry over the winter. No damage to rubber seals, diaphragms etc due to supermarket fuel. Easy starting. Had to Google that. Thanks - I'll have a look. 4 hours ago, Jaymo said: Have an FS55 with cow horns- very pleased with it indeed. Run all my saws and 2t on Stihl motomix and have had zero problems I'm still thinking the FS55 is a sensible option. 3 hours ago, kennett said: We run 10x Stihl fs450 at work, big bit of kit but once you have the harness set up right you barely feel it. Because of the size and weight you can also use them for a lot longer before you need to worry about HAV etc Probably a bit more industrial than I need (awesome bit of kit though). I've used a harness before and that's my preferred method. 2 hours ago, Lord Geordie said: A small holding? Requiring a strimmer? I think he requires a couple of goats Ha ha. Old farm house with outbuildings and paddock for 3 horses and occasional sheep (for when the grass gets too long). I'm just mowing the nicer grass (lawn) areas and strimming the edges/fence line. Had a test drive on the new ride on mower last night. Very nice. https://www.mowdirect.co.uk/mountfield-1538m-lawn-tractor.html Thanks everyone for the feedback - I don't feel quite so uneducated now. I think I'll get the FS55 as it seems to tick all the right boxes. Might even be a bit overkill and Stihl might not be as good as they were, but I reckon it will still be all'reet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markm Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 I have a Honda 4 Stoke for heavy duty / brashing and a small stihl for light garden. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dekers Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 14 hours ago, hedge said: Thanks for the replies so far. I've just found out I can get a Stihl FS55 brand new delivered for £203. It fits my criteria of sensible brand, ideally new and just about on budget. I could buy a cheaper product, but I'm also a bit of a slave to getting quality stuff when I can, even if I don't really need it. I'll see what else comes up but the FS55 is pretty much spot on. Sounds like you need a decent/tuff product. Lots of the cheaper strimmer's are fine for modern pocket handkerchief domestic gardens with a couple of metres of work to do, but the Stihl sounds a good investment! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Do any of the stihl users find theirs melts whatever brand cord they use? The outlaws have one and it just seems to eat cord Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Funker Posted March 5, 2019 Report Share Posted March 5, 2019 Bought a titan one from screwfix a couple of years ago. Domestic use, hasn't missed a beat. £100 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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